101 Uses For is popular and let's hope it stays that way. Our second book is presently called 101 tips for self sufficiency; we will certainly dip into this section for ideas. So post away and let's try and get at least one thread up to 101.

I thought I'd posted about it before somewhere Shiney - but must have dreamt it... it was in my last copy of sepa view - a great free publication from the scottish environment protection agency - http://www.sepa.org.uk/pdf/publications ... ay2006.pdf - all the other issues are there too.

fill with tap water and freeze... use to fill up the spaces in your freezer.. a full freezer works best... BUT...also doubles up as a bit of fresh water if you have a water cut off for whatever reason.

I just checked out the web site about building a green house with plastic bottles - what an awesome idea!!! Think I'll tell Chris to build a frame and hey presto - instant green house - just add lemonade!!

Let us be lovely
And let us be kind
Let us be silly and free
It won't make us famous
It won't make us rich
But damn it how happy we'll be!
Edward Monkton

Member of the Ish Weight Loss Club since 10/1/11 Started at 12st 8 and have lost 8lb so far!

Shirlz2005 wrote:fill with tap water and freeze... use to fill up the spaces in your freezer.. a full freezer works best... BUT...also doubles up as a bit of fresh water if you have a water cut off for whatever reason.

I don't agree; you're wasting energy by freezing water for no good reason.

The idea of filling your freezer (if it's the upright type) is to reduce the volume of cold air which can "fall out" and get replaced by warm air each time you open the door. Opening introduces more moisture in the new warm air which you have to use energy freeze this new layer and requires defrosting. It also reduces efficiency as ice is a poor conductor.

Empty bottles will stop the air exchange occuring and still occupy the volume but without wasting energy. For a chest freezer you don't need to bother because it's like a tank of cold air and opening it doesn't cause an air change.

Just found a handy use for the square 2L milk bottles (I'm guessing you folks have them?). Cut both top and bottom off and secure around small trees when planting with two bamboo sticks or tomato stakes pushed down into the earth inside opposite corners.

Apparently they provide sun protection, wind protection and also help with watering as you can water directly into them...

"Don't worry about the world coming to an end today. It's already tomorrow in Australia." - Charles Schultz

Shirlz2005 wrote:fill with tap water and freeze... use to fill up the spaces in your freezer.. a full freezer works best... BUT...also doubles up as a bit of fresh water if you have a water cut off for whatever reason.

I don't agree; you're wasting energy by freezing water for no good reason.

The idea of filling your freezer (if it's the upright type) is to reduce the volume of cold air which can "fall out" and get replaced by warm air each time you open the door. Opening introduces more moisture in the new warm air which you have to use energy freeze this new layer and requires defrosting. It also reduces efficiency as ice is a poor conductor.

Empty bottles will stop the air exchange occuring and still occupy the volume but without wasting energy. For a chest freezer you don't need to bother because it's like a tank of cold air and opening it doesn't cause an air change.